aloft Breaks Ground in Jacksonville, FL
WHITE PLAINS, NY, April 16, 2008. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) (NYSE:HOT) and its much-anticipated new lifestyle brand, aloft(sm) hotels, today celebrates the groundbreaking on a new aloft hotel in the rapidly growing north side of Jacksonville, Florida. Developed by The Summit Group, Inc., aloft Jacksonville Airport is scheduled to open in January of 2009. Designed to appeal to today's youthful-minded travelers, the new-build hotel will offer 136 rooms, a variety of intuitive technologies and atmospheric public spaces.
aloft Jacksonville Airport will be conveniently located just minutes from Jacksonville International Airport and 25 minutes from downtown Jacksonville. The new-build hotel will be part of the RiverCity Marketplace, an upscale lifestyle center at the intersection of I-95 and Airport Road, which is scheduled for completion at the same time the aloft hotel opens. The 465-acre mixed-use development will include a 1.3 million square-foot shopping district, 900 non-branded residential units, 133,000 square feet of light industrial office space, restaurants and a movie theater. Hotel guests will also be just one mile from the Anheuser Busch Brewery, with proximity to leading attractions including the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and the shops, live music and restaurants at Jacksonville Landing.
"aloft Jacksonville Airport will bring its definitive sense of style and urban sensibility to the dynamic, north side of Jacksonville," said Brian McGuinness, Vice President of aloft and element hotels worldwide. "Custom-designed for forward-thinking travelers, aloft provides a fresh, new lodging alternative that will match the energy and excitement of Jacksonville, the 'Gateway to Florida.'"
"We are thrilled to partner with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. on this exciting new project," said Craig Aniszewski, COO and Executive Vice President of The Summit Group, Inc. "aloft Jacksonville Airport will only increase the appeal of the RiverCity Marketplace, a project that is truly energizing the city."
As a Vision of W Hotels, the aloft brand is shaking up the lodging industry with urban-influenced design, accessible technology, style and a social atmosphere. aloft hotels offer a total sensory experience, with guest lofts featuring loft-like nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows to create a bright, airy environment. The centerpiece of the aloft room is the ultra-comfortable signature bed, and large stylish bathrooms complement the guest experience with oversized walk-in showers and amenities created by bliss(R) spa. Each guest loft is also a combination high-tech office and entertainment center, featuring wireless internet access and a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry such as PDAs, cell phones, mp3 players and laptops - all linked to a large flat panel HDTV ready television for optimal sound and viewing.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
